Weekly Maritime Crime and Piracy Update, plus Convoy Schedule

Rendezvous point “A” (Eastbound): 12:07N – 044:11E. Rendezvous point “B” (Westbound): 14:54N – 054:41E. Please note that each starting point indicates the endpoint for the convoy from the opposite direction. Transit speed is 12 knots. Eastbound convoys transit at 0400 UTC 15 June, 24 June, 4 July, 10 July, 23 July 2011. Westbound convoys transit at 0400 UTC 21 June, 1 July, 7 July, 17 July 2011. All merchant vessels wishing to join the convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission. Minimum speed for the convoy is 12 knots, meaning all vessels wishing to join the convoy group must be able to maintain the speed of 12 knots throughout the period of transit.

Please note that a 2-hour delay in arrival at the rendezvous position will make the ROK Naval Escort Task Group convoy unavailable. At/from 24 hours prior to the convoy time, all vessels registered for the convoy must establish initial communication with ROK Naval Escort Task Group, and update its position, course, speed (PCS), and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) every 4 hours. For further information, please contact the ROK Naval Escort Task Group directly at (INMARSAT:870-773-110238), (FAX: 870-783110591) or EMAIL: [email protected] (MSCHOA)

General cargo ship (SUEZ) was fire upon and boarded by pirates from one skiff with four pirates onboard 15 June at 0205 LT while underway in position 09:18.06N – 051:15.47E, approximately 28NM southeast of Bandar Beyla, Somalia. The crew injured the pirate onboard and the pirate escaped by jumping into the sea. (UKMTO, Commercial Sources)

ARABIAN SEA:

Bulk carrier (CARAVOS HORIZON) was fired upon by one skiff with four pirates onboard 12 June at 1351 UTC while underway in position 12:33.6N – 061:46E, approximately 432 NM east of Socotra Island, Yemen. The vessel had fire hoses and electric wire around the vessel that prevented the pirates from getting onboard the vessel. (IMB, UKMTO)

Bulk carrier (EMPEROR) was fired upon by one skiff with four pirates onboard 11 June at 0315 UTC while underway in position 12:10N – 061:45E, approximately 426NM southeast of Socotra Island, Yemen. Onboard security team fired warning shots and the pirates aborted the attack. (IMB, UKMTO)

SOMALIA:

Two men attacked the Port of Mogadishu on 9 June with guns and grenades. One of the attackers was a suicide bomber, killing himself and one civilian. The two men exchanged weapons fire with African Union peacekeepers. The African Union peacekeepers shot and killed the remaining attacker. (Open Sources)

RED SEA:

Chemical/oil products tanker (EMMA VICTORY) experienced an attempted boarding 11 June at 0451 UTC while underway in position 13:32N 042:41E, approximately 31NM northwest of Assab, Eritrea. Vessel spotted five skiffs but was only attacked by one. Skiff attempted to put on a ladder on the vessel, but could not due to razor wire and evasive maneuvers. (UKMTO, Operator, Commercial Sources)

Bulk carrier (TAI SHUN HAI) was fired upon by one skiff with 5–6 pirates onboard 10 June at 1135 UTC while underway in position 13:29N – 042:37E, approximately 29NM northwest of Assab, Eritrea. Vessel engaged in anti-piracy measures and the pirates aborted the attempt. (IMB, Operator)

COLOMBIA:

A bulk carrier was robbed 13 June at 0920 UTC while anchored in position 10:18.5N – 75:32.6W in the Cartagena tanker anchorage, Colombia. The duty able seaman (AB) spotted robbers trying to access the vessel via the hawse pipe. The AB alerted the other crew members. The robbers then escaped the vessel. Later the AB noticed foot marks on the deck and that ship stores had been stolen. (IMB)

EGYPT:

A container ship was robbed 12 June at 0130 UTC while anchored in the Suez Canal anchorage, Egypt. Robbers stole ship property. After the incident was reported to local authorities, the local authorities found the robbers and reclaimed the stolen property. (IMB)

Indian Ocean Piracy and Weather Forecast for 16 – 17 JUN 2011

A. GULF OF ADEN:

Slightly higher sea heights within the Gulf of Aden are expected through the next 72 hours. Fetch limitations will keep the seas in this region within 2 – 5 feet, with the highest heights in the eastern portion. Area winds during the past 48 hours have shown speed fluctuations due to daytime heating/nighttime cooling (diurnal effects). Expect SW winds 18 – 22 with higher gusts during the height of daytime heating (06Z – 18Z), decreasing to SW 8 – 12 during the height of nighttime cooling (18Z – 06Z). Daytime winds and moderate sea heights may prove to hinder piracy/small boat operations.

EXTENDED FORECAST: Expect diurnal winds from the southwest to continue through 22 June with moderate sea heights for forecast period. These conditions may hinder piracy/small boat operations.

B. INDIAN OCEAN:

Sustained SW winds of 25 – 30 knots with higher gusts will remain over the Somali Basin through the next 72 hours. Expect conditions to not be conducive for small boat operations from the central Somalia coast northeast to the Omani coast and extending through the North Arabian Sea and east to Pakistan and India, as sea heights range from 9 – 15 feet, with the highest heights from 13N to 18N and 60E to 70E. Expect this region to shift slightly in location (+/- 1 degree) over next 72 hours but continue to produce heights of 13 – 15 feet.

EXTENDED FORECAST: The SW monsoon will continue to affect these regions above for the forecast period, producing high winds and seas. Small boat/piracy operations in the impacted regions will be hindered through 22 June. Conditions will be more conducive for small boat/piracy operations for the forecast period as you move into the central Indian Ocean along the equator, waters around the Maldives, and coastal waters off Kenya and Tanzania.

C. SURFACE CURRENTS:

Currents off the Somalia coast are variable with speeds along the coast up to 5.5 knots from the 1S to 10N. Currents within the Gulf of Aden are variable with most areas having speeds of 1.5 knot or less. Coastal waters off eastern Yemen and the extreme eastern portions of the GOA have speeds up to 2.5 knots.

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